Department seeking new roof for fire station

ELIOT, Maine — Funding for a new roof recently requested by Fire Chief Jay Muzeroll for the fire department’s headquarters on State Road is still in the process of getting approval.

“We’re not asking for extravagant things. These are true needs, true requests,” said Muzeroll at a recent budget committee meeting.

Budget Committee Chairman Rebecca Davis mentioned the request is still in review and nothing has been finalized.

“We are taking everything into consideration,” said Davis, who also mentioned the decision on the requested recommendations will be sometime in March or April.

An estimated cost for the roof replacement is $65,000 and Muzeroll has asked for a minimum of $40,000. Muzeroll said the roof could go another year without replacement, but recent storms could have affected this.

“It might be able to go longer, but I wouldn’t bet my paycheck on it. The shingles are extremely brittle,” noted Muzeroll.

The department has $25,000 in a roof savings account, but they are short $45,000. Muzeroll also requested $6,800 for an increase in first response medical training and $1,000 toward a firefighter response system that will alert the department within two minutes that firefighters have been notified and are responding to a call.

According to Muzeroll, there is minimal charge to the town for the first response service — less than 2 cents per call.

“Everybody in the department is a taxpayer. We are trying to do a little bit at a time, but there is still a cost of doing business,” said Muzeroll.